RightsInfoDevoted to spreading knowledge about the advances in human rights protections brought about by the UK Human Rights Act. Founded by barrister Adam Wagner, this blog has developed into a news website and campaign organisation with nine staff led by journalists Alex Feis-Bryce, Sarah Wishart and Jem Collins.

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It's important to stay up to speed with the latest developments in the areas of business or law that you're interested in. Following the news and social media are both good ways of doing this. Another key way to stay commercially aware is by exploring the legal blogosphere.

Did you know the Article 50 Brexit case brought by Gina Miller in 2016/17 was prompted by a blog post? Well, it was. This one. We're not suggesting that reading blogs is likely to lead you to become part of the most important constitutional law case of our generation, but it will benefit you in other ways.

Commercial awareness is a key requirement if you want a job in law; it's important that you can speak confidently about the commercial and legal trends affecting law firms, their clients and the legal and business world in general. And blogs are a great way of staying informed about these trends.

Below we've curated a list of recommended legal blogs to help boost your commercial awareness. They are listed by broad subject/field, so you can narrow things down. The blogs are written by a mix of barristers, solicitors and law firms.

Let us knowif there are any blogs you think we should add to the list below. We'll be continually updating this list and adding to it.

Listening and viewing

Tired of reading? Here are some podcasts, films and documentaries that can help boost your understanding of business and law. Once again, recommendations are welcome.

Podcasts

Law in ActionJoshua Rozenberg's excellent Radio 4 show about law; it tends to focus on public law, crime, policy, the courts and family law.

The Pupillage PodcastThis charming and well-made podcast from 5 Essex Court barristers Georgina Wolfe and Beatrice Collier gives fantastic insight and advice on how to gain pupillage, covering everything from the Inns of Court and pro bono to applications and interviews.

The HearingFreeths employment partner Kevin Poulter interviews interesting characters from the world of law.

Northpod LawAmateur podcast from three Manchester barristers looking at criminal law issues such as sentencing, murder, drug dealing and sexual abuse.

The Good FightSpin-off of The Good Wife covering the life and legal exploits of Diana Lockhart (played by Christine Baranski) and young lawyer Maia Rindell (Rose Leslie).

A Very English Scandal2018 BBC drama starring Hugh Grant and Ben Wishaw about liberal leader Jeremy Thorpe relationship with Norman Scott. The final episode covers Thorpe's infamous trial for conspiracy to murder, in which his lawyers managed to get him acquitted despite the evidence against him.

The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime StoryGripping 2016 drama series about O.J. Simpson's 1994 murder trial. It has an impressive cast inluding Sarah Paulson, John Travolta, Cuba Gooding Jr and David Schwimmer. It's all about the American courts and legal system, but still fascinating.

The Big Short2015 Hollywood movie starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt giving the inside story of the trading and financial wizardry that led to the massive balls-up that was the 2007/08 financial crisis.

The Ascent of Money2009 documentary by historian Niall Ferguson about the history of the global financial system made in the wake of the 2007/08 financial crisis. There's a book with the same name too.

Bear in mind you can't achieve everything sitting behind a laptop, clicking from site to site. A great way to improve your commercial awareness is getting work experience, networking and talking to people in law.

This page was first published in February 2017.

Please note: linking does not indicate approval of or agreement with the opinions which may be expressed in any of these blogs.

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